I have no problem eating some processed food, it doesn’t impact my nutritional goals. Just processed isn’t a huge deal (you are going to be having some really boring meals if you are not having some processed food, like flour) you just have to watch what you are eating. Ultra processed is where the big danger lies, you can largely deal with the danger by limiting yourself to once a week instead of never.
I know some unicorns do exist but;
> doesn’t cheat on her diet at all
The concept of cheating means you don’t actually enjoy your diet which means its not sustainable. Its mostly the same problem with the idea of “going on a diet”. Good nutrition is about developing healthy relationships with food so you are eating things you enjoy and don’t want to cheat on :)
Even if someone wanted to eat some ultra-processed food like ice cream every day there are ways of making it work in a diet (with difficulty but it could be made to work).
Even with lots of processed food with the right plate composition you can make it work. Japanese & Korean people consume white rice with every meal. Greek & Italian people consume bread with every meal. Even though they include processed food every meal they live much longer then we do because their plates are well composed.
I don’t cheat. Also, it isn’t a diet, it is a lifestyle of healthy eating. The only “sweet” I have is one homemade fudge pop (very low sugar) each day. No cookies, no treats, no other sweets.
I take it is a challenge of self control and willpower. I also remember the days of feeling horrible after eating too much unhealthy food (mentally and physically). Ultimately though, it is all about life. We live once, I want to live as long as I can, but also do so in a way that I can still enjoy life. Not be in and out of the hospital or medical facilities for obesity, heart disease, have OA in the joints, etc.
On the downside, I will admit, food is a primary focus of my life and runs my life. So yeah, that can be stressful and not enjoyable at times.
My way (and your friends), quite honestly, is too extreme. In moderation, cheat foods are fine, but it is a slippery slope for some of us.
Cheating is weird concept for me. There are no foods that aren’t in my diet. The frequency varies based on it’s nutritional value for my specific dietary needs.
Even when I eat out I don’t eat fast food or majority processed items.
But a bowl of pasta is maybe 6x a year.
French fries about the same.
Ice cream is 2x/month.
Soda 2x a year.
Etc.
I like feeling good. So it’s not particularly difficult for me.